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Easy Italian Broccoli Pasta: Your Go-To Simple Weeknight Meal


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  • Author: Aaron recipes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x

Description

This Easy Italian Broccoli Pasta is the perfect simple weeknight meal. It’s a 30-minute, one-skillet sauce recipe featuring savory Italian sausage, tender broccoli, and a light, flavorful garlic and broth sauce.


Ingredients

Scale

1 lb Pasta (Penne or Farfalle)1 tbsp Olive Oil1 lb Italian Sausage (mild, sweet, or hot), casings removed1 medium Yellow Onion, diced5 cloves Garlic, minced1/4 tsp Red Pepper Flakes1 large head Broccoli, cut into small florets1 cup Chicken Broth1/2 cup Grated Parmesan CheeseSalt and Black Pepper to taste


Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.2. While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausage (casings removed). Cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.3. Do not drain the fat. Add the diced onion to the skillet with the sausage fat. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened.4. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook for 1 more minute until fragrant.5. Add the broccoli florets and the chicken broth. Stir to combine.6. Bring the broth to a simmer, then cover the skillet. Let the broccoli steam for 3-5 minutes, until tender-crisp.7. Uncover the skillet. Add the cooked, drained pasta to the skillet along with the grated Parmesan and 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water.8. Stir everything together vigorously for 1-2 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and coat the pasta. If it seems dry, add more pasta water.9. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately.

Notes

Sausage: Use hot, mild, or sweet Italian sausage based on your preference. If using leaner chicken sausage, you may need to add an extra tablespoon of olive oil.Broccoli: Don’t overcook the broccoli! You want it to be bright green and tender-crisp, not mushy.Pasta Water: The starchy pasta water is key to creating a glossy sauce that clings to the pasta, rather than a watery one.

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: One-Pan
  • Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1.5 cups
  • Calories: 530
  • Sugar: 4g
  • Sodium: 700mg
  • Fat: 26g
  • Saturated Fat: 9g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 17g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 48g
  • Fiber: 6g
  • Protein: 25g
  • Cholesterol: 55mg